Australian Heritage Turkey Society Incorporated

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Turkey Standards: Excellence in the Backyard and Exhibition  is AHTSI's 3rd conference. It is 7-9 June 2019 and is in conjunction with the Royal Canberra Poultry Show. The brochure containing the program and registration form can be found here and also on our Facebook page.

Mission Statement:
The Australian Heritage Turkey Society Inc (AHTSI) has four main objectives:
1. to promote and preserve varieties of rare turkeys in Australia.
2. to establish a registration system to ensure the gene pool is identified and       protected, thereby securing the survival of old established lines and newly     developed colours. 
3. to involve and educate the public about heritage turkeys.
4. to follow the protocol of the Australian Poultry Standards committee by     documenting stages in the development of new varieties, to ultimately contribute   to an inclusion in the Australian Poultry Standards.

What is a heritage turkey?


Unlike chickens, ducks and geese, which are made up of a number of different breeds, domestic turkeys comprise but one breed, with a number of varieties. The Australian Poultry Standards (2nd edition) recognises nine varieties. Check the Photo Gallery to identify standard and new/developmental varieties.


A heritage turkey is one which:

1. can mate naturally.

2. is adaptable to variations in its surroundings e.g. food, weather.

3. has a life-span of at least five years.

4. has played a role in the development of the Australian turkey industry.


The Australian Heritage Turkey Society is a not-for-profit association with all monies raised from membership fees and fundraisers being used to further contribute to the goals of the Society e.g. to promote varieties of rare and heritage turkeys in Australia through Show Sponsorship (i.e. sashes/ rosettes and prize money), Website maintenance (i.e. license fees), and Publicity (i.e. flyers, banners, magazine advertisements).     

The conference will be a fabulous opportunity to learn from turkey breeder and judge Megg Miller, a foundation member of the Australian Heritage Turkey Society Inc, and one of only a couple of accredited turkey judges in Australia.

For those who are interested, there is an option to be tested in order to become an accredited turkey judge.

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